D.C. mayoral race tightens as socialist candidate leads amid national tensions

Washington, D.C., mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George is leading in her bid to succeed outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser, with 52.6% of the vote as of early Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. She leads her closest rival, Kenyan R. McDuffie, who has 36.8%, with about two-thirds of ballots counted.

The race has garnered national attention due to the district’s recent political tensions. Former President Donald Trump has threatened to order another federal takeover of Washington if George, a self-described Democratic socialist, wins. Trump criticized the candidate during a White House briefing Thursday, calling her election a threat to democracy and vowing, “We won’t put up with it.”

Trump’s comments come amid ongoing disputes over crime policies in the city. The Trump administration deployed the National Guard to Washington last year, which supporters credit with reducing violent crime. George called Trump’s threat an “attack on democracy itself.”

Washington, D.C., is using ranked-choice voting for the first time in this election, which could delay final results. The race is expected to determine the city’s next mayor, with about 75% of voters registered as Democrats. Additionally, voters participated in a Democratic primary to select a non-voting U.S. delegate, following Eleanor Holmes Norton’s retirement.

As of early Wednesday, the AP called the mayoral race for Robert White, an At-Large Council member. The outcome of the mayoral contest remains uncertain as ballots continue to be counted.

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